Barcelona are already considering replacing club legend Sergio Busquets. Busquets is still a key part of Xavi Hernandez’s side but the 34-year-old’s hugely successful spell at Camp Nou is coming to an end.
With the likely departure of the Spain international, the Catalan giants are weighing up their midfield options for 2023.
FC Barcelona will reportedly move for Leicester City star and rumoured Arsenal target Youri Tielemans if they fail to sign Ilkay Gundogan, with the Manchester City maestro being Xavi Hernandez’s main target for the La Liga giants. They are eager to sign the German international. Gundogan’s contract is set to expire in 2023, with Barcelona eyeing either a cheap deal in January or a free in the summer. However, should the midfielder remain with City, Tielemans is being lined up as a probable plan B.
The Leicester star is in a similar situation to Gundogan as in the midfielder’s contract is due to expire at the end of this season. However, unlike his City rival, Tielemans looks all but certain to leave the Foxes in 2023, with January potentially the best window to offload the Belgian.
According to Catalan outlet Sport, one of the names that the Barcelona board is considering for next season is Youri Tielemans. The Belgian midfielder has been one of the most outstanding players at Leicester City.
In the summer transfer window, he was close to signing for Arsenal but the transfer never materialized. The offer made by Arsenal at the time was for a reported €50 million.
With the Catalan club now involved, it might be even more difficult for Arteta’s Arsenal to complete the signing of the Belgian.
Tielemans is anticipated to start for Belgium in the 2022 FIFA World Cup next week. With a strong performance in Qatar, the midfielder could become a serious transfer target for Barcelona, which will be the last thing Arsenal would want as they try to sign the star player from Leicester.